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netiquette 101

recent traffic on the list suggests that some of our readers may
not be sufficiently familiar with basic principals of network
etiquette, and some may have forgotten some of the basics.  this
extremely brief article is intended as a quick reminder of the
basic axioms:

1) show restraint

don't let articles you object to provoke excessive responses; if an
article is truly out of line, the list admin will probably address
the problem in due time.  most provocative issues will die down
quickly enough, if allowed to do so.  it is best to avoid profanity;
most of us don't care one way or the other, but a fair number do
care.  simple courtesy dictates taking their wishes into account.
try private email before broadcasting inflammatory messages.  if
you are about to flame, count to 10, and rethink your article.  and
finally, NEVER add fuel to a fire.  please.

2) be pertinent

this is the BMW list.  most articles should be about BMWs.  articles
about BMW club related activities are ok.  meta-discussion (articles
about the BMW list itself) are ok, as long as they are kept within
reasonable bounds and do not become repetitive.  do NOT use the BMW
list to "reach an audience" as Mr. BathroomWall did recently; use the
BMW list to talk about BMWs.

3) read most of the the messages before replying

someone else may have already given the answer you were going to give

4) edit replies

when you quote someone else's email, be sure to cut unnecessary material.
be merciless; everyone has already seen the message you're replying to.

that should do it for now,

richard
  (i'm going on vacation tomorrow, and this place better
   be spotless when i get back)